Ruth Wang, a partner at VDoor Law Firm, stated that Chinese authorities demanded her firm dissolve or face shutdown, escalating pressure on her and her colleagues. Wang, who represented pastors and members of the Zion Church in Beijing since October 2025, made the comments in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Thursday.
Wang is currently in transit in Taiwan, seeking assistance with her next steps. She expressed concern about the impact on her career and personal life if she does not cooperate with the authorities' demands. Her situation highlights the ongoing pressure against the Zion Church and its affiliates, even after the release of its founder, Pastor Ezra Jin, two months prior. Jin's release followed intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May.
Zion Church, founded by Jin in 2007, is one of China's largest unregistered house churches, defying government mandates that require worship to occur only in state-sanctioned congregations. Last October, 18 Zion Church members, including Jin, were arrested in a significant crackdown on the church.
Lawyers assisting individuals perceived as dissidents by the Chinese government have also faced increasing pressure. VDoor Law Firm has experienced several challenges, including the revocation of its founder Zhang Kai's legal license and a six-month suspension for other lawyers at the firm. Wang stated that judicial authorities instructed firm lawyers to cease representing Zion Church-related cases and to leave the company. Attempts by some lawyers to join other firms were also met with restrictions.
Wang decided not to return to Beijing after Chinese authorities contacted her while she was on vacation in Japan, requesting a personal meeting. She was in Beijing at the time and subsequently chose to remain abroad.
Bob Fu, founder of the U.S.-based human rights organization ChinaAid, commented that Wang's case exemplifies the significant pressure on lawyers who defend persecuted Christians and other prisoners of conscience. Fu urged the Taiwanese government to protect Wang's family and prevent their forced return to mainland China, while also calling on democratic governments, including the U.S., to assist Taiwan in finding a resolution.
Upon arrival in Taiwan, Wang sought help from local authorities for permission to stay while she contacted other countries. Taiwanese immigration officials allowed her to remain temporarily in the airport area but informed her that Taiwan, due to its complex political relationship with mainland China, does not have a formal refugee policy and cannot accept asylum cases from China. This stance reflects Taiwan's growing wariness of security risks from China amid strained cross-strait relations.
Wang is exploring resettlement options, including pursuing studies in the U.S. or Canada. If these avenues are not feasible, her family plans to apply for asylum abroad. She described her family's future as uncertain and expressed hope for finding a place to accommodate them.